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General Information

Contact Information

MOPA is located in beautiful Balboa Park in the Casa de Balboa building, along with the Model Railroad Museum and the San Diego History Center. Casa de Balboa is the building next to the Prado Restaurant.

1649 El PradoSan Diego, CA 92101

P: 619.238.7559

F: 619.238.8777

E: info@mopa.org

Hours of Operation

Museum & Store Hours:Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 26:MOPA will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summer Hours:Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., June 2 - Sept. 1

Early Closures: The museum will close early at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 and Dec. 16, and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

*Hours may vary during Special Events

Gallery Admission

Pay What You Wish

Tuesday - Sunday

With Pay What You Wish admission, every visitor may see MOPA without the general admission fee and choose how to make a contribution instead. This voluntary contribution policy makes MOPA accessible to everyone based on what one wishes to pay (suggested $5 donation).

FREE to MOPA Members, active military & dependents with ID, and children 12 and under. Become a MOPA Member!

School and group rates can be found here. Three weeks advance reservation is required.

San Diego Residents Free Days: Balboa Park organizations offer free admission to San Diego City & County residents (with ID), active military & their dependents on selected days for one day each month. You can see a list of these dates for the next three months by clicking here.

Looking for a quiet time to visit?

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings are the best time to visit the Museum. You won’t have to share the galleries with the crowds and you’ll have more opportunities to experience the art works on your own.

Directions and Parking

From Interstate 5 South:

Exit at 10th Avenue

Turn left on A Street

Turn left on Park Boulevard

Turn left onto Space Theater Way and cross the small bridge

Park in any of the parking lots along Space Theater Way or on Park Blvd.

At the end of Space Theater Way, you will be directly behind the Museum of Photographic Arts' building. Come around to the front of the building to enter.

From Interstate 5 North:

Take exit #15B, B Street/Pershing Drive onto Pershing Drive

Turn left on Florida Drive

Turn left on Zoo Place

Turn left on Park Boulevard

Turn right onto Space Theater Way and cross the small bridge

Park in any of the parking lots along Space Theater Way or on Park Blvd.

At the end of Space Theater Way, you will be directly behind the Museum of Photographic Arts' building. Come around to the front of the building to enter.

Parking

Parking lots are available along Space Theater Way and street parking is available along Park Blvd. Since parking may be difficult during peak times or during events, additional parking lots are located throughout Balboa Park. Download a Balboa Park map to locate other parking areas.

A free tram service is available from the parking lots to various points throughout Balboa Park from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm, with extended hours during summer months. Learn more.

Public Transportation

MOPA and Balboa Park are also accessible by public transportation.

Metropolitan Transit System buses 3, 7, 120, and Rapid 215 serve stops on the east and west side of the Park. To enter from the Park’s west side take Routes 3 or 120 (which travel on 4th and 5th Avenues) to the stop closest to Laurel Street and walk east on Laurel Street, past 6th Avenue, over the historic Cabrillo Bridge.

Routes 7 and Rapid 215 operate on Park Boulevard, on the Park’s east side and stop at either at the stop by the Rose Garden (Route 7) or the San Diego Zoo (Rapid 215 and Route 7). From the stop, go to El Prado and MOPA.

MTS routes to Balboa Park connect with MTS Trolley Lines and many other MTS Bus and Rapid Routes. In downtown San Diego, Rapid 215 is an easy connection from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot and the Cruise Ship Terminal.

For the latest information about routes and schedules (you can download any bus or Trolley Map and schedule) or a trip plan visit www.sdmts.com. By phone, dial 511 or call Transit Information at 619-233-3004.